Shoe pad for attachment to the outer sole of a shoe

ABSTRACT

Described is a shoe pad for attachment to the outer sole of a shoe. The shoe pad includes a body having a first side configured for engaging a stepping surface and a second side configured for attachment to the outer sole of the shoe. The first and second sides are offset by a thickness of the body. A decorative wrap is attached to the body at least partially about an outer perimeter of the body in a direction transverse to the body thickness.

This non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of, andpriority to, U.S. provisional patent application no. 61/898,474, filedOct. 31, 2013 with the U.S. Patent Office.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Disclosed in this application is a shoe pad. More specifically,disclosed is a shoe pad attachable to the outer sole of a shoe forproviding metatarsal support having a decorative border.

2. Description of the Related Art

Pads for attachment to the bottom of a shoe to provide support, such asmetatarsal support, are known in the art. These pads may be positionedinside or outside the shoe, depending on their thickness, to improvesupport, provide cushioning, or increase the height of the shoe.

For shoe pads positioned on the outside of the shoe, the shoe pad may beunsightly or may not match the color or design of the shoe. There istherefore a need for a decorative shoe pad that provides an improvedappearance and proper foot support.

A single shoe pad may also be adapted to fit several different styles,colors, or types of shoes. The preferred color, shape, and design of thedecorative element of the shoe pad may vary depending on the color,shape, and design of the shoe the pad is attached to. Therefore, thereis a need for a customizable decorative shoe pad.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Described in this application is a shoe pad for attachment to the outersole of a shoe. The pad includes a body having a first side for engaginga stepping surface and a second side configured for attachment to theouter sole. The first and second sides are offset by a body. Alsoincluded is a decorative wrap attached to the body at least partiallyabout an outer perimeter of the body in a direction transverse to thebody thickness. In particular embodiments, the decorative wrap isremovable, and may be replaced with a different decorative wrap.

The decorative wrap may be a continuous band, such as an elastic band,or may be a strip having a pair of opposing terminal ends. The strip maybe secured to the body by one or more fasteners. Either of thedecorative wrap arrangements may be secured to the body using either apermanent or temporary adhesive, or may be attached by means of ahook-and-loop fastener, such as Velcro. The body of the shoe pad mayinclude a groove extending completely around the outer perimeter of thebody for the decorative wrap.

The second side of the shoe pad may include an adhesive for attachmentto the outer sole.

The shoe pad may include a central portion surrounded by an outerportion, the inner portion comprising a compressible or elastomericmember and the outer portion including the outer perimeter. The outerportion may be formed from a rigid material. The first side may beformed of a durable material configured to resist wear and may includevoids to create a tread pattern.

Also disclosed is a method for attaching a decorative shoe pad to a shoeouter sole. The method includes the steps of providing a shoe pad,arranging a decorative wrap, securing the decorative wrap, and attachingthe shoe pad to the outer sole. The shoe pad comprises a body having afirst side configured for engaging a stepping surface and a second sideconfigured for attachment to the outer sole, the first and second sidesbeing offset by a thickness of the body. The decorative wrap is arrangedat least partially about an outer perimeter of the body in a directiontransverse to the body thickness. The decorative wrap is secured to thebody of the shoe pad.

The decorative wrap may be a continuous band, such as an elastic band,or may be a strip having a pair of opposing terminal ends. The strip maybe secured to the body by one or more fasteners. Either of thedecorative wrap arrangements may be secured to the body using either apermanent or temporary adhesive, or may be attached by means of ahook-and-loop fastener, such as Velcro. The body of the shoe pad mayinclude a groove extending completely around the outer perimeter of thebody for the decorative wrap.

The body of the shoe pad may include a groove extending at leastpartially around the outer perimeter of the body, such that thedecorative wrap is arranged within the groove. The groove mayalternatively extend completely around the outer perimeter of the body.The decorative wrap may be removable and interchangeable, the method mayinclude the step of removing the decorative wrap and arranging analternative decorative wrap.

Finally disclosed is a padded shoe including a shoe having an outer soleand a shoe pad attached to the outer sole. The shoe pad includes a bodyhaving a first side configured for engaging a stepping surface and asecond side configured for attachment to the outer sole. The first andsecond sides are offset by a thickness of the body. The shoe pad furtherincludes a decorative wrap attached to the body at least partially aboutan outer perimeter of the body in a direction transverse to the bodythickness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe pad and decorative wrap accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a shoe having the shoe pad and decorative wrapof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the shoe of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective of the shoe pad shown having a decorative wraparranged within a groove of the shoe pad, in accordance with aparticular embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side plan view of the shoe pad of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 perspective view of the shoe pad of FIG. 4 having a grooveconfigured to receive a decorative wrap.

FIG. 7 is a side cutaway view of the shoe pad of FIG. 5, where thedecorative wrap is attached to the shoe pad using Velcro or a similartype mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the shoe pad according to yet anotherembodiment where the shoe pad is formed of different materials in adirection transverse to the pad thickness, in accordance with aparticular embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Described in this application is a shoe pad for attachment to the outersole of a shoe. The pad includes a body having a first side for engaginga stepping surface and a second side configured for attachment to theouter sole. The first and second sides are offset by a thickness of thebody. A decorative wrap is attached to the body at least partially aboutan outer perimeter of the body in a direction transverse to the bodythickness. The wrap being attached “at least partially” about the outerperimeter also includes the wrap extending completely around theperimeter.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a first exemplary embodiment is shown. Inthis figure, the shoe pad 10 is designed to attach to the toe portion ofa shoe. Shoe, as used herein, more generally represents any desiredfootwear, such as a shoe, boot, pump, heeled shoe, flat, slide, orwedge, for example. The toe portion as generally used herein moregenerally refers to a forward foot portion, which provides support to awearer for any or all of the toe, tarsal, and/or metatarsal portions ofthe foot. In the alternative, the shoe pad 10 may be designed forattachment to a heel of a shoe.

The shoe pad 10 includes a first side 12 for engaging a stepping surfacewhich may be a walking or running surface such as a floor, sidewalk,street surface, or ground. The first side 12 may be formed from adurable material configured to resist wear. The first side 12 may alsoinclude additional material defining voids forming a tread on the firstside 12. These treads increase friction between the shoe pad 10 andwalking or running surface, improving traction and preventing slipping.The tread may also include voids to absorb water, mud, dirt, snow, orany other fluid or particulate to facilitate or improve traction for thewearer. These voids may form a pattern similar to a shoe pattern. Thetread may be formed into the first side or may be provided by way of atread layer, which may be formed of any known tread material, such asnatural or synthetic rubber or wood, for example.

The shoe pad 10 further includes a second side 14 for attachment to theouter sole of a shoe 20 (FIG. 2) having a toe 22, heel 24, and outersole 26 between the toe 22 and heel 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the secondside 14 is attached to the outer sole 26 at the toe 22 of a shoe 20 toprovide foot support. The second side 14 may be attached by any desiredattachment means 15 or combination thereof. In particular embodiments,for example, such as in the embodiment shown, the attachment means 15 isan adhesive, such as a permanent or temporary adhesive. In otherembodiments, the attachment means is a connecting structure, such as abracket or the like, one or more fasteners, such as tacks, screws,buttons, nails, a hook and loop fastener, such as Velcro®, or any othertype of attachment means.

In particular embodiments, the decorative wrap may comprise or includeone or more ornamentation features, such as, for example: individualjewels or other objects; strands of jewels or ornamentation; one or moreletters, words, or phrases; texture; printed, marked, or painted designsor patterns; or any other desired ornamentation, which may bepermanently or temporarily attached to the wrap, formed with the wrap,or directly formed into the pad body itself. It is appreciated that thejewels may be real or imitation. An exemplary design or pattern couldinclude a leopard print, zebra print, a snake skin print or texture, orleather print or texture, for example. In the embodiment shown in FIGS.1 and 2, the decorative wrap 18 includes ornamentation 18A comprisingstrands of jewels or other objects. In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5,the wrap 37 includes ornamentation 37A comprising a printed design. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 8, the wrap 46 shown also includes ornamentation46A comprising a printed design.

It is appreciated that ornamentation features may be attached by anattachment means, which may comprise, for example: thread, wire, orcable; one or more fasteners, such as screws, nails, hook, pins, rivets,buttons, clasp, buckle, or the like, of example; permanent or temporaryadhesive; hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro® or any similarmaterial; magnets; or any other type of permanent or temporaryattachment means.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the shoe 20 shown in FIG. 2 furtherillustrating the toe 22 and heel 24 portions of the shoe 20 and outersole 26 extending between the toe 22 and heel 24. The second side 14 ofthe shoe pad 10 may be attached at the toe (which may support any of thetoes or mid-foot, such as the tarsal or metatarsal bone areas) 22 asdescribed above, heel 24, an intermediate point between the toe 22 andheel 24, or extend the length of the outer sole 26. Different types ofshoes may have different sizes and shapes of toes 22 and heels 24 andtherefore the shoe pad 10 may be sized and shaped to accommodate avariety of shoe styles, shapes, and sizes.

With further reference to FIGS. 1-3 the first 12 and second 14 sides ofthe shoe pad 10 are offset by a thickness of a body 16. In is understoodthat the body 16 includes a compressible material, which includes anelastomeric material, such as synthetic or natural rubber, for example,that provides cushion when walking or running on a ground surface.Compressible material may also comprise a closed-cell or open- cellstructure, including a foam or sponge, a gel, or an inflation chamber.

Any compressible material may form the entire body, or only portions ofthe body such that the compressible material forms less than all of thebody. For example, in particular embodiments, the body is entirelyformed of the compressible material. In other embodiments, the bodythickness is formed of multiple layers each of a particular thickness,where one or more of the layers is formed of compressible material. Forexample, in an exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-7, a shoe pad 30has a body 31 comprising a first layer 32, second layer 34, and anintermediate layer 36 arranged between the first 32 and second 34layers. In this embodiment, the first 32 and second 34 layers comprise asubstantially non-compressible material while the intermediate layer 36comprises a compressible material, although any such layer may comprisecompressible or substantially non-compressible material in othervariations. In the arrangement shown, the first 32 and second 34 layersmaintain their shape and position when weight is applied to the shoe pad30 while the intermediate layer 36 provides a cushion for the wearer. Itis understood that, in other embodiments where the body is formed of aplurality of layers, the body thickness may be formed of two (2) or morelayers of material, and any such layer may comprise the compressiblematerial. For example, in the embodiment shown, the intermediate layeris formed of substantially non-compressible material or material of lowcompressibility to better maintain the integrity of the decorative wrap,while at least one of the other layers is formed of compressiblematerial.

In further embodiments, one or more portions of the body arranged in adirection transverse to the body thickness are formed of differentmaterials, one of which being compressible material. For example, withreference to an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a central portion42 of the shoe pad body 41 is formed of a first material, while asecond, surrounding portion 44 of the body is formed of a secondmaterial. While each first and second portion extends the full thicknessof the shoe pad body 41 between first and second sides 45A, 45B, it isappreciated that any such portion of the body, such as any first andsecond portion 42, 44, may extend through the full or partial thicknessof the shoe pad body 41, such that when extending partially through theshoe body thickness, any such portion may be exposed to any of the firstand second sides 45A, 45B or may be fully enclosed within the body, suchthat each is submerged below the first and second sides.

With further reference to FIG. 1 a decorative wrap 18 is attached to thebody 16 at least partially about an outer perimeter or circumference ofthe body 16 in a direction transverse to the body thickness as shown inFIGS. 1-2. The decorative wrap 18 is visible between the shoe 20 andfloor when the shoe is being worn, providing a decorative element to theshoe pad 10. The decorative wrap 18 may be a continuous band, a striphaving a pair of opposing terminal ends, or other arrangement, such astwo or more adjacent strips, each having opposing terminal ends.

In particular embodiments, the decorative wrap 18 is a continuous band.In more particular embodiments, the continuous band is an elastic bandor strap, which may be expanded to pass over one of the first 12 orsecond 14 sides and contract, and which, in more particular embodiments,engages a groove in the base 16.

In another arrangement, the decorative wrap 18 is a strip having a pairof opposable terminal ends. The terminal ends are secured to the body byuse of any attachment means 19 discussed or contemplated herein, whichincludes, for example, thread, one or more fasteners, such as a rivet,screw, hook, pin, button, clasp, buckle, or other type of fastener, ahook and loop fastener, such as Velcro® for example or other likematerial, or any temporary or permanent adhesive. In the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the attachment means 19 is a clasp.

In particular embodiments, the body includes a groove extending at leastpartially (which includes completely) around a perimeter of the body andalong a thickness of the shoe pad body, the groove being configured toat least partially receive the decorative wrap. For example, withreference to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4-7, a decorative wrap 38is arranged within a groove 37 (also referred to as a “recess”)extending around an outer perimeter of the shoe pad or shoe pad body. Inthe embodiment shown, the groove 37 is arranged along the thickness ofthe intermediate layer 36 and between the first 32 and second 34 layersthe shoe pad body. In the embodiment shown, the first 32 and second 34layers provide a border or lip for retaining the decorative wrap 38within the groove. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the shoe pad with thedecorative wrap 38 removed. It is appreciated that a groove may beformed in any other body design, including a body formed of a singlematerial (which forms a monolithic body) or a body formed of differentmaterial portions arranged in a direction transverse to the bodythickness, such as is exemplarily shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 7 is a side cutaway view of the shoe pad 30 showing the arrangementof the decorative wrap 38 positioned within the groove 37 and extendingbetween the first 32 and second 34 layers. In this arrangement, thedecorative wrap 38 has a width less than the thickness of the thicknessof the shoe pad 30 so that the first 32 and second 34 layers arevisible. FIG. 7 also illustrates attachment means 39 between thedecorative wrap 38 and groove 37. In the illustrated embodiment, theattachment means 39 comprises a hook and loop fastener, such as Velcro®,where the hooks are provided on a back surface of the decorative wrap 38and the loops are provided within the groove 37 of the pad, although thehooks and loops may be oppositely be arranged on the wrap and the pad.

In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 8, the alternative shoe pad40 includes different portions arranged in a direction transverse to thebody thickness. In particular, the embodiment of FIG. 8 provides a coreor central portion 42, a surrounding outer portion 44, and decorativewrap 46. In this arrangement, the core 42 is a compressible material andthe outer portion 44 is a material that is less compressible than thecore 42, such as low compression or substantially non-compressiblematerial. In particular embodiments, the outer portion 44 is made of amaterial that does not substantially change in shape when a weight isapplied to the shoe pad 40, so that the decorative wrap 46 maintains itsshape and appearance when a weight is applied. The illustratedembodiment may include a treaded bottom surface 50 for engaging astepping surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the core 42 extendsbetween the first and second sides and is exposed. In other embodiments,the core 42 may not be exposed but may be hidden by top and/or bottomlayers of the shoe pad 40.

With further reference to FIG. 8, the decorative wrap 46 extends betweenthe opposite sides of the shoe pad so that the shoe pad is not visiblearound the edges of the decorative wrap 46. The decorative wrap,according to this illustration, may be attached to the shoe pad 40 by anadhesive. Alternatively, a tread (not shown) may extend from the bottomside of the shoe pad 40 to prevent the seam between the decorative wrap48 and outer section 44 from wearing due to contact with the ground.

The decorative wrap described in any of the above embodiments may beless than or equal to the thickness of the shoe pad. The decorative wrapmay comprise multiple, smaller portions of decorative wrap positionedadjacent one another, or may comprise a single portion extending acrossall or a portion of the thickness of the shoe pad.

Also described in this application is a method for attaching adecorative shoe pad to a shoe outer sole. The method includes providinga shoe pad, arranging a warp about the pad, securing the strap to thepad, and attaching the second side of the pad to the outer sole. Thesesteps will be described in the above described order, but it should beapparent that the steps may not necessarily be performed in that order.

In a first step of the method, a shoe pad is provided. The shoe padincludes a body having a first side configured for engaging a steppingsurface; such as a walking or running surface including the ground,floor, sidewalk, street, or the like; and a second side configured forattachment to the outer sole of a shoe. The second side may includeadhesives, connecting structure, or may be attached to the outer sole ofa shoe by means of one or more fasteners, such as shoe tacks. The firstand second sides are offset by and define a thickness of the body. Thebody may include a groove extending at least partially (or completely)around the outer perimeter of the body for receiving a decorative wrap.

A decorative wrap is next provided and arranged at least partially aboutan outer perimeter of the body in a direction transverse to the bodythickness. The decorative wrap, as shown in FIG. 1, is positionedbetween the first and second sides. As shown in FIG. 2, when the shoepad is attached to the outer sole of a shoe, the wrap is visible betweenthe shoe and floor. The decorative wrap may be continuous, such as anelastic band, or may comprise a strip having opposable terminal ends.

The decorative wrap is secured to the body of the pad. The decorativewrap may be affixed by means of an adhesive (permanent or temporary),frictional engagement (such as an elastic wrap), or may be secured byone or more fasteners, for example a rivet, screw, hook, pin, button, orthe like. Alternatively, the wrap may be secured to the body by use of ahook-and-loop type fastener, such as Velcro. The decorative wrap may beinterchangeable and attached by a removable means so that the decorativewrap can be removed and an alternative decorative wrap can be attachedto the body.

In a final step of the method, the second side of the shoe pad isattached to the outer sole. The shoe pad may be attached by means of anadhesive, complementary connecting structure, or fasteners between theshoe pad and outer sole.

In another embodiment, a kit for attaching a shoe pad to an outer soleof a shoe is provided. The kit includes a shoe pad having a first sidefor engaging a stepping surface and a second side for attachment to theouter sole. A thickness of the body between the first and second sidesdefines a body of the shoe pad. The shoe pad may be adjustable in size,shape, or style, such as by cutting as desired to achieve a desired sizefor a particular shoe or such as cutting or peeling along anypre-defined demarcation or partition. Also included is one or morelengths of decorative wrap that may be attached to the body at leastpartially about an outer perimeter of the body. The decorative wraps maybe cut to size by the user to fit the selected size and shape of shoepad so that the decorative wrap extends partially or completely aroundthe shoe pad. The kit includes at least one or a combination of severalmeans for attaching the decorative wraps to the shoe pad. Any such meansfor attaching may comprise any means for attaching described orcontemplated herein, which includes permanent or temporary adhesives,hook-and-loop fasteners, fasteners, thread, or any other desiredattachment means. The decorative wraps may comprise one or more of avariety of designs, materials, thicknesses, widths, and lengths.

Finally disclosed is a padded shoe comprising a shoe and a shoe pad. Theshoe pad includes a body having a first side configured for engaging astepping surface and a second side configured for attachment to theouter sole. The first and second sides are offset by a thickness of thebody. The shoe pad also includes a decorative wrap attached to the bodyat least partially about an outer perimeter of the body in a directiontransverse to the body thickness.

While this invention has been described with reference to particularembodiments thereof, it shall be understood that such description is byway of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting thescope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, the scope and content ofthe invention are to be defined only by the terms of the followingclaims. Furthermore, it is understood that the features of any specificembodiment discussed herein may be combined with one or more features ofany one or more embodiments otherwise discussed or contemplated hereinunless otherwise stated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe pad for attachment to the outer sole of ashoe, the pad comprising: a body having a first side configured forengaging a stepping surface and a second side configured for attachmentto said outer sole, the first and second sides being offset by athickness of the body; a decorative wrap attached to the body at leastpartially about an outer perimeter of the body in a direction transverseto the body thickness.
 2. The shoe pad of claim 1 wherein the decorativewrap is removably attached to the body.
 3. The shoe pad of claim 1wherein the decorative wrap is a continuous band.
 4. The shoe pad ofclaim 3 wherein the decorative wrap is elastic.
 5. The shoe pad of claim1 wherein the decorative wrap comprises a strip having a pair ofopposing terminal ends.
 6. The shoe pad of claim 5 wherein the terminalends are secured to the body by use of one or more fasteners.
 7. Theshoe pad of claim 1 wherein the decorative wrap is secured to the bodyusing an adhesive.
 8. The shoe pad of claim 1, wherein the decorativewrap is secured to the body using a hook and loop fastener.
 9. The shoepad of claim 1, where the body of the shoe pad has a groove extending atleast partially around the outer perimeter of the body, and where thedecorative wrap is arranged within the groove.
 10. The shoe pad of claim1, where the groove extends completely around the outer perimeter of thebody.
 11. The shoe pad of claim 1 wherein the second side includes anadhesive for attachment to said outer sole.
 12. The shoe pad of claim 1wherein the body comprises a central portion surrounded by an outerportion, the inner portion comprising a compressible member and theouter portion including the outer perimeter.
 13. The shoe pad of claim12 wherein the outer portion is formed from a rigid material.
 14. Theshoe pad of claim 1, where the first side is formed of a durablematerial configured to resist wear.
 15. A method for attaching adecorative shoe pad to a shoe outer sole, the method comprising thesteps of: providing a shoe pad comprising a body having a first sideconfigured for engaging a stepping surface a thickness of the body, thefirst and second sides being offset by a thickness of the body;arranging a decorative wrap at least partially about an outer perimeterof the body in a direction transverse to the body thickness securingsaid decorative wrap to the body of the pad; and, attaching said secondside of said shoe pad to said outer sole.
 16. The method of claim 15wherein the decorative wrap is removably attached to the body, themethod further comprising a step of removing the decorative wrap andattaching a different wrap to the body.
 17. The method of claim 15wherein the decorative wrap is elastic.
 18. The method of claim 15wherein the decorative wrap comprises a strip having a pair of opposingterminal ends, where the terminal ends are secured to the body by use ofone or more fasteners.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein thedecorative wrap is secured to the body using hook and loop fasteners.20. The method of claim 15, where the body of the shoe pad has a grooveextending at least partially around the outer perimeter of the body,such that in the step of arranging the decorative wrap is arrangedwithin the groove.
 21. The method of claim 15, where the decorative wrapis removable and interchangeable, the method further comprising removingthe decorative wrap and attaching an alternative decorative wrap.
 22. Apadded shoe comprising: a shoe having an outer sole; and a shoe padattached to the outer sole, the shoe pad comprising: a body having afirst side configured for engaging a stepping surface and a second sideconfigured for attachment to said outer sole, the first and second sidesbeing offset by a thickness of the body; and a decorative wrap attachedto the body at least partially about an outer perimeter of the body in adirection transverse to the body thickness.